Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ An Alchemic Reaction ❯ Return to Risembool ( Chapter 7 )

Author's Note: Don't hurt me!!! I'm trying to get this story written as quickly as I can!! I work and attend college so it isn't easy when my brain is too tired to type!

However, I am on a roll now! I no longer have writer's block, and I have fairly clear direction with the rest of this story. Oh, it will be good. You'll see!

 

So without further adieu…Enjoy Chapter 7!

 

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Chapter 7

Return to Risembool

 

 

“Last call!....Train 109 to Risembool! All aboard!” The train whirred loudly, as it stood idly waiting for its passengers. Winry Rockbell turned somberly to Scieszka and Kaine. They each wrapped their arms tightly around her.

 

“Don't worry, Winry, everything will be fine. Just get home and take care of your grandmother, and soon enough you'll be back and we can celebrate the wedding!” Scieszka tried her hardest to sound positive considering the dire circumstances.

 

Winry nodded giving her best half smile as she turned around and ascended onto the train. Once she stowed away her luggage, she loosened her scarf, and sat herself down. With her forehead pressed against the cold windowpane, she waved goodbye to her friends as the train began to move.

 

Her eyes widened slightly as she caught the blurred site of a man in the distance, dressed in blue with dark raven hair. `No…it can't be him…' she thought. She came to the conclusion, that she had simply mistaken the soldier in the crowd with the General.

 

Roy Mustang stood on the platform of the train station, watching the train begin to slowly lumber its way out of the city. He had spotted the young blonde who was tormenting his mind as of late, getting on the train. He had heard the news through the grapevine, that her grandmother was ill, and needed her immediate attention.

 

A whole two weeks passed, since the surreal event that occurred between the two of them. The public manner of which their affections were exhibited did not go by without notice either. Everyone was talking. The gossip rang through the halls of headquarters, as Roy kept himself locked behind his office doors. During the day he would keep his mind set exclusively on work, and left little room for personal matters. He gave stern looks to whomever he suspected was gossiping nearby, and made sure to avoid Miss Rockbell at all costs. He would arrive at headquarters earlier, and began a ritual of watching her leave the building at the end of her shift. He would watch her stroll out of the large complex in the late afternoon, aching with a longing, which he masked and kept buried within him.

 

His nights were a little tougher to get through. In his solitude, he would lie awake and his mind would drift to that night. When the loneliness got the best of him, he would regress to his old ways, and make a date with the local shop girl. She would anxiously await him, and they would go out for drinks, however something had changed within. He no longer felt the satisfaction he used to feel about his female conquests. The act of kissing, and disrobing random women was becoming, well….boring.

 

Something had happened between him and Winry. Something bigger then he had ever experienced with another woman. She cared for him, but not just in a protective or platonic manner. It was written all over her face and body language whenever she was near. Her bright blue eyes had changed when he looked into them.

 

Of course, maybe he was simply overanalyzing everything. Perhaps she was this affectionate and caring with everyone in her life. She was always very attentive to those close to her, especially Fullmetal.

 

Roy let out a short sigh before turning and heading back to Central Headquarters. `At least I won't have to worry about running into her'. The thought tugged at him in a strange way. Once in his office, he sat behind his large desk. Drumming his fingers upon the mahogany wood, he stared listlessly at the large pile of papers which had accumulated before him.

 

***RRRrrrinnnggg***

 

Startled by the loud ringing of the phone, he gingerly picked up the line and answered.

 

“Mustang here.”

 

The voice which responded to him shocked him to his very core. He knew what had to be done.

 

 

In Risembool

 

Winry entered the dimly lit house. This house was her home, and yet something about it had become alien to her. She dragged her belongings into the living room, and was delighted to feel the warmth of her aging dog Den. He lapped a few kisses onto her cheek, as she stroked his dark fur.

 

She walked up to her grandmother's room, saddened to find her endlessly energetic grandmother…. bed ridden.

 

Pinako turned her head towards the open door and smiled.

 

“Come in sweetheart.”

 

Winry sat beside her grandmother, and leaned over to kiss her wrinkled forehead.

 

“Grandma, I'm so sorry I couldn't be here sooner.”

 

“It's alright Winry, you are a busy young woman, and I want you to do what is right. Many people need you, people that are far worse off than I am.” Pinako looked down at her hands, and raised her gaze back up to her granddaughter.

 

Weakly, she lifted her feeble hand up and stroked Winry's long locks.

 

“You have been the sweet sunshine I have needed, even when it seemed that all that surrounded me, was pure darkness.”

 

Winry looked away, biting her lip she tried not cry in front of her.

 

“Oh deary, do not cry for me. I am an old woman….”

 

At this Winry broke down. “No! You can't leave me here! What am I going to do? Everyone has left me….I don't have anyone to care for….noone to look after me. Grandma….please…”

 

She let herself cry loudly, expelling all her tears into the palms of her hands. She felt her grandmother stroke her hair lightly.

 

“Winry…sweet Winry. I need you to listen carefully to me. I have to make sure you understand a few things about this home of ours and all the responsibilities you will acquire with it.” Pinako reached over towards her nightstand, and pulled out a several papers. She handed them into Winry's shakey grasp.

 

Brushing back the tears from her face, Winry began to look through the documentation handed to her. It was the paperwork for the Rockbell AutoMail business, and the deed to the house and land. One signature seemed to stick out like a blaring red sign. She began to feel a little dizzy by this small discovery.

 

“Grandma…why is Roy Mustang's signature written upon the deed to this house?” she peered up at her ailing grandmother.

 

Pinako took off her glass, and cleaned them as she spoke.

 

“Winry dear, after the tragedy that had been placed upon our household we had gotten into a bit of financial trouble. Under the State and among Risembool's many absurd regulations of the past, I could not legally own this property as a woman. Your father was the original owner of this house, after your grandfather passed away.”

 

Pinako shakily placed her newly clean spectacles on, and laid a soothing hand upon Winry.

 

“General Mustang, with his grief and guilt, demanded that he take ownership of the house and made sure that all our finances were taken care of. I never wanted any of it. Imagine me, accepting help from a dog of the military. A dog whom was too obedient to his master!”

 

Winry sighed and patted her grandmother's hand, soaking up all the words coming at her.

 

“Well…” Pinako coughed.“ I believe in the end, Mr. Mustang had proved to keep his word. With the help of our Edward and Alphonse, we live in a free country now. I have kept contact with him Winry. He is essentially a good man, who was an overly optimistic soldier to begin with. Now however, he has learned the truth about this world.”

 

“Grandma…why are you telling me all this now?” Winry blinked back the tears, knowing full well that the response would be grave.

 

Pinako looked straight into Winry's eyes.

 

“My sweet girl, I am passing on soon. I feel it in my bones. I am telling you all this, because I want you to own this house. Now that the country is free, all these silly rules have been abolished. I have advised the General of this.”

 

Winry visibly shook, and laid her head between her knees as she sobbed. `Why did HE always have to interfere with her life?' She looked up at her grandmother and gave her half-hearted smile as she reached over to lay a kiss on her cheek.

 

“Anymore life-altering news for the day grandma?” Winry sniffed as she gave her grandmother a sly smile, trying her best to keep things as light as possible.

 

Pinako waved her away. “No, that's certainly enough for today. Go prepare yourself some supper dear. You must be starved. Oh, and don't worry about me, our neighbor Melinda was nice enough to bring me a nice little meal earlier.”

 

Winry made a mental note to thank Melinda later, as she headed downstairs for the kitchen. Her grandmother was right, she was famished.

 

The rest of the evening was spent keeping her grandmother company as she informed her of all the activities within Central. However, making sure to leave out the immensely inappropriate experiences she had shared with the General.

 

 

As twilight gave way to a starry darkness, Winry wished her grandmother a good night and proceeded to step out , and have a seat on the porch. Den crept up beside her, and laid his heavy head upon her lap. Winry smiled and pet him lazily as she looked out at the vast countryside.

 

She wondered about her future, and how much her plans have been completely overturned by the mistakes of others. Her mind drifted to the General. This had been happening a lot lately. After the fairly public show which they had put upon a crowd of people in Central, she retreated back into her work. She avoided seeing General Mustang at all costs, and was almost sure that he might have been doing the same.

 

She scowled at the thought. The actions of that night left her completely baffled. Her emotions for the dark General were contradictory. She began to have feelings, which were completely wrong to have for him. There was something there that she just couldn't ignore about Roy.

 

 

She yawned loudly as she leaned against the armrest. Feeling the weight of exhaustion, Winry surrendered to the soothing sounds of the night.

 

 

The Following morning…

 

 

“Winry…..Winry…..” the muddled name came to her ears. The sound of the voice was unfamiliar to her, but held a distinct quality which she found soothing.

 

“Winry…Winry…wake up…swee-Wake up.”

 

There it was again, that voice. Feeling the warmth of a hand stroking her cheek, she began to open her heavy lids. As soon as her vision focused on the owner of the voice and warm hand, Winry couldn't help but catch her breath in surprise.

 

“Good morning Miss Rockbell.” Roy Mustang's deep velvety voice greeted her, with a soft and somewhat nervous smile. He smirked as a bright blush spread about her cheeks.

 

“Ahem..” Someone nearby cleared their throat loudly. Feeling awkward, and as if he were intruding on something, the attorney accompanying Roy, made his presence known to Winry.

 

“Good morning, Miss Rockbell I presume?” He held out a chubby hand for Winry to shake. She responded in kind, still trying to resurrect herself from the sweet slumber she had experienced overnight.

 

“Hello…yes, I am Miss Rockbell, and you are?”

 

The attorney introduced himself as Mr. Harvey Welch.

 

Winry suddenly remembered where she was, and why she was there. `Risembool…grandmother is sick…'

 

Alarmed she quickly allowed the two men into the house, and proceeded to her grandmother's room. With Winry's help, Pinako began to slowly lower herself down the stairs. Roy saw this and immediately took action. Winry's protests fell on deaf ears as he insisted on bringing the frail woman down to the living room, himself.

 

Winry rolled her eyes at the brazen act of chivalry on the General's part, while secretly admiring the kind gesture.

 

Leaning upon Roy's shoulder, Pinako nodded and thanked him for the help.

 

The next few hours were spent discussing the arrangements and responsibilities, which Winry would be acquiring. Nervously, she signed the necessary paperwork, and Roy had signed over the house to Winry's name. The lawyer left after all the formalities and legal issues were taken care of, leaving the three of them alone in the house.

 

It was late in the afternoon, and Winry felt her stomach grumbling for sustenance. Seated in an armchair across from her, she looked up at Roy, only to find that he was already looking right at her.

 

He noticed the slight blush spread across her cheeks. `She was so damn lovely..' He thought, hopelessly sinking into her azure gaze.

 

She opened her mouth to speak, and forced the words out.

 

“General Mustang…would you like to join us for some dinner?” She felt a heat rise up within her, and clenched the soft fabric of the couch.

 

Pinako felt the unprecedented tension within the room, and chimed in.

 

“Oh yes! You must stay General, you must be starving after such a long trip from Central.”

 

Winry turned towards her grandmother, who then winked at her. `Oh my god!' she thought anxiously, `Was it that obvious?'

 

“I appreciate it greatly, and I would love to.” Roy responded, keeping his sights strictly on Winry. He gave her a boyish wink and smirk, as he reveled in watching her cheeks turn red. He couldn't help himself, he hadn't been near her in weeks. He began to wonder if perhaps…he missed her?

 

Winry's brows knit together in annoyance, as she got up from the couch, took in a deep breath, and briskly headed for the kitchen.

 

Roy excused himself from Pinako, and got up to follow huffy blonde. He swung the kitchen door open to find Winry's head inside the icebox pulling out produce. When she turned to face him, he noticed the watery redness of her eyes, and the disheveled strands of golden hair strewn about her face. He felt the urge to reach out and comfort her, but held back out of sheer propriety.

 

“May I help?” He asked with true sincerity.

 

They stared at each other for a long moment, both assessing the situation and the reasons they were both there.

 

Winry released a long breath, and tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear.

 

“Sure you can.” She tossed him an onion, and he caught it adeptly, barely missing a beat. She gave him a sweet half-smile which gave him a small measure of delight. “Get to choppin' General!”

 

The unlikely pair worked amiably together in the kitchen, creating a hardy stew of vegetables and meat. Both kept quiet for the most part, stealing short glances of each other while the other was unaware.

 

He discreetly watched her as she cursed and tenderized the meat with a small mallet. It was funny moments like these that brought hope to Roy. The idea that he could be happy, and not have to be alone for the rest of his life. He knew he was falling for her, and the time he spent avoiding her may not have helped after all.

 

“Winry.” He felt her name spill out of his mouth.

 

Winry put the mallet down, and turned to face Roy with a questioning arched brow.

 

“I think we should be clear…that what occurred that night at----“

 

“No need to clarify anything General---“ Winry cut him off midsentence.

 

“Roy, you can call me Roy.”

 

She rolled her eyes, “Ugh…No I can't.”

“Come on, yes you can!” He nudged her playfully, trying his hardest to lighten the mood.

 

Winry sighed, “Ok…Roy…”

 

Roy ran a hand through his hair, and shook his head as he spoke. “Winry…I am so sorry about that night. The things I said, and my actions were all under the wrong influence. Under normal circumstances……I would never have done what I did.”

 

Winry looked at him for a moment, assessing his words. She nodded and turned back to the counter to continue cooking.

 

The rest of the evening was uneventful; they shared a meal together with Pinako, who laughed harder than ever listening to Roy's jokes, and quips about life in Central and the stature of his favorite alchemist Edward Elric. He looked over at Winry who was smiling, and covering her face sheepishly as she giggled into her hands. He felt a warmth come over him and a sense of belonging here.

 

The chemistry between the two was not lost on the elderly woman. Even in her illness, she could clearly see the sparks fly, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. It was a new time; everything had changed so drastically since Winry was a small child.

 

“Mustang, I believe I must retire for the evening. So if you will excuse me.” Pinako announced, as she shifted her weight about the chair.

 

“Let me help you.” Roy gallantly got up from his chair, and attended to the old woman. Winry stood up to assist, but was halted by Pinako's hand.

 

“It's alright Winry, I think Mustang can help me up on his own. Besides, I wanted to say a few things to him before he left.”

 

Winry's surprised eyes met with Roy's at that moment. She shrugged and gave him a rueful smile, not knowing what to expect from her quirky grandmother.

 

As Roy walked Pinako to her room, he began to feel a little nervous at the prospect of being scolded. `Did she notice anything?' He wondered as Pinako gathered herself into bed.

 

“General Mustang, I want to keep things clear.” She spoke sternly looking directly into his dark eye. “I may not be here for long, and Winry is alone. I want her to be taken care of. That girl has lost nearly everyone close to her.”

 

This statement stung Mustang deep within.

 

“You have clearly changed General. You are no longer the arrogant military dog you used to be. Life has clearly jaded you to some extent. My Winry may be headed in that sad direction, and I do not want that for my granddaughter.” Pinako's eyes watered slightly as she inhaled a deep intake of breath. She continued, “You have proven to me and this entire country that you are essentially a good man. I want you to know that Mustang.”

 

Roy stood still, trying his hardest to keep a neutral face.

 

“So…this may be the last time we speak. I ask you to please take care of her. Just look after her, make sure she is alright, and not too alone.”

 

She smirked as she said “I'm sure she will find someone eventually.”

 

Roy nearly choked as he let out a loud cough. “Ahem…yes…aahhmm….eerrmm…excuse me for that.”

Pinako's outstretched her hand to Roy. Hesitantly, he placed his hand into her wrinkled little palm.

 

She patted it with her other hand in a motherly fashion, and smiled. “Take care Roy. Tell Winry to come up for me, Ok?”

 

Roy's mind was jumbled at the moment, his lips trembled as he replied. “Goodbye Pinako, I will.”

 

He turned to leave the room, and descended down the stairs where his eye met with the bluest pair of eyes he had ever seen.

 

Winry gave him a soft smile. “What was that all about?” She asked approaching him.

 

Roy decided it was best not to answer the question. “She wants to see you, Miss Rockbell. I really must be going.”

 

Winry felt a trace of sadness at the prospect of his departure.

 

“Oh…but it's so late…your going back to Central now?” She asked, unknowingly stepping closer to him.

 

“I…I have a room at the local Inn for the night. I will be leaving for Central tomorrow.” He began to lose himself in her eyes, his gaze dropped down to the soft curves of her mouth.

 

“Winry?? Winry dear??? Can you come up please?” Pinako's distant voice broke through. Realizing their close proximity, they each took a step back from each other, and said their goodbyes in a rushed manner.

 

The following morning…..

 

Roy decided that a quick stop to check on Winry and her grandmother before he left for Central couldn't hurt. `I have to see her one more time…what if she never returns to Central?' Roy put his thoughts aside, and tried to keep a sunny disposition as he approached the Rockbell Automail residence, and gave its door a firm knock.

 

He waited for a response but after a few minutes, and five more knocks on the door, he began to worry and decided that he would have to force himself in. Stepping back, he kicked down the door.

 

Stepping inside, he saw Winry's large dog whimpering on the living room floor. What he saw next to the dog shot him into action. Winry was face down on the floor.

 

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Author's Note: Uh oh…cliffhanger??? No worries, I will post the next chapter very soon!!! Your patience will be GREATLY rewarded with the next chapter! Do I smell…Lemon anyone??? Until next time!